HOW I BECAME A BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER KELLI MCROBERTS: Good communication skills are essential in Kelli McRoberts's role as General Manager in a social enterprise agency.

The Post: General Manager, Carrickfergus Enterprise The Post Holder: Kelli McRoberts

Give a brief outline of your career to date.

I've spent the last 25 years working in the enterprise sector, having begun my career as a Business Development Executive, before taking up a role with Carrickfergus Enterprise as a Business Development Officer in 1998. In 2002, I was promoted to General Manager and over 20 years later, I still love working in the most fantastic place.

Did you go on to further/higher education, if so, what did you study and where?

Academia wasn't for me, so I pursued a vocational qualification. I decided to undertake a three-year HND in Business Studies at Ulster University and took the opportunity to complete summer school and go straight into my final year of BA Hons Business Studies, graduating with a 2:1.

How did you get into your area of work?

I found interviewing tough upon graduation and someone recommended the Premiere Graduate Management Programme. This was a real turning point and gave me...